Water vehicle



T. V. PETTY Oct. 12, 1965 WATER VEHICLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25, 1964 INVENTOR. TED V. PETTY Oct. 12, 1965 I T. v. PETTY 3,210,783

WATER VEHICLE Filed Feb. 25, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 5 INVENTOR.

TED V" PETTY @flmm ATTORNEY Oct. 12, 1965 T. v. PETTY 3,210,783

WATER VEHICLE Filed Feb. 25, 1964 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 ZNVENTOR.

\ TE D V. P ET TY ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,210,783 WATER VEHICLE Ted V. Petty, Orem, Utah (1364 Cherry Lane, Provo, Utah) Filed Feb. 25, 1964, Ser. No. 347,193 10 Claims. (Cl. 9-1) The present invention relates to water vehicles and more particularly to pontoon boats or catamarans which are provided with an adjustable mount for an outboard motor to propel the vehicle through water and/ or with a wheel mechanism movable to an operative position in which it is capable of supporting the vehicle for towing on land and to a retracted or inoperative position in which it olfers minimum resistance to propulsion of the vehicle through water.

The invention will be described and illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle looking down from the bow and starboard with a part of the deck broken away to show framework details;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the stern portion of the vehicle with the deck removed to show details of the framework structure;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stern portion of the vehicle looking down from the stern and starboard with deck removed to show control moving parts;

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a section on the line of FIG. 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view on the line 5-5 with the wheel in raised position; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view on the line 77 of FIG. 2 with the outboard motor indicated in outline mounted on the adjustable transom.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 the water vehicle or catamaran 10 comprises two spaced pontoons 12 of any desired construction, e.g., air-tight sheet metal cylinders with somewhat conical bow sections 14 to minimize the water resistance during forward movement of the vessel. Secured to the pontoons 12 is a framework 16 including an elongated deck 18. The framework as illustrated comprises a plurality of struts 20 (FIG. 2) supporting cross beams 22 to which decking 24, e.g., deck planks, are fastened in any desired manner. Guard rails 26 are provided at each side of the deck and a sun shade 28 may also be provided if desired. At an intermediate position fore and aft and toward one side is a control standard or box 30 on the stern side of which a wheel 32 is rotatably mounted for steering the craft in water by means described hereinafter and on another side of which a windless 34 having a crank 36 is also rotatably mounted for a purpose to be explained hereafter.

Midway between the pontoons 12 adjacent to the how a tow bar tube 40 is suitably secured to the framework 16 below the deck to receive a tow bar 42 removably locked in place by a pin 44 passing through aligned holes in the deck, the tube 40 and the bar 42. By removing the pin 44, the bar 42 can be pulled from the tube 40, if desired, so that it does not interfere with the operation of the boat in water. It can then be replaced and locked in the tube 40 by the pin 44 for attachment to an automobile or the like for towing on land.

A wheel mechanism 50 is provided which is movable to an operative position, in which it is capable of supporting the vehicle for towing on land, e.g., substantially at right angles to the deck, and to a retracted or inoperative position, e.g., substantially parallel to the deck, in which it offers minimum resistance to movement or propulsion of the boat through water. In general the wheel mechanism includes an arm 52 pivoted at one end to the framework 16, a wheel 54 rotatably mounted in any suitable 3,210,783 Patented Oct. 12, 1965 manner on the other end of the arm and cooperating tubular recesses 56 and 58 formed by walls in the pivoted end of the arm and in the adjacent framework, respectively, and a pin or bolt 60 slidable in the two recesses to lock the wheel mechanism in operative position, and in one of them, e.g., 58, to lock the wheel mechanism in inoperative position by extending an end outside the recess where it engages some part of the other, e.g., the wall surrounding recess 56, which serves as a stop.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the wheel mechanism comprises a tubular frame 62 having a top bar 64 secured in brackets 65 to the pontoons 12, two side arms or legs 52 pivoted to 64 by fittings 53, and a brace 66 connecting the arms adjacent to the free ends thereon on which two wheels 54 are rotatably mounted by any suitable means, e.g., a stub axle or shaft 68 provided with ball bearings (not shown) for the wheel, a link 70 to which an end of the axle 68 is secured adjacent to one end, a shaft 72 rotatably mounted in cross brace 66 secured adjacent to the other end of link 70 and spring means (not shown) in tube 66 biasing the wheel strongly in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 5, to absorb shocks in road travel by a sort of knee action with which those skilled in the art are fully familiar.

The top bar 64 is secured between the two pontoons transversely of the deck slightly back of the center of gravity of the craft so that the tow bar 42 always exerts a downward component of force on the trailer hitch (not shown) on the automobile bumper or other towing vehicle in accordance with usual trailer practice.

The tubular recess 56 in the Wheel mechanism may be formed in the tubular arm 52 itself but preferably a section of pipe of somewhat larger diameter than the arm 52 is welded or otherwise secured to the wheel struc ture just at one side of the pivot axis, i.e., out of vertical alignment with the axis of the pivot, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. A similar length of pipe 82 is welded or otherwise secured in the framework 16 in axial alignment with the pipe section 80 in the operative position of the parts and with its upper end flush with the top of the deck so that a pin or bolt 60 dropped into pipe 82 from above deck will pass into pipe 80 and thus rigidly lock the wheel mechanism against movement relative to the framework 16 as long as the pin remains so disposed in both aligned recesses as shown in FIG. .5. The same pin serves to hold the wheel mechanism in its inoperative position, to which it can be moved when pin 60 is withdrawn, by dropping the pin back in recess 58 where it now engages the adjacent end of pipe 80 as seen in FIG. 6. Any desired number of such recesses and pins may be provided, two being specifically shown in the illustrated embodiment.

Any suitable means may be provided for moving the wheel mechanism 50 from one position to another. The particular means illustrated comprises the Windlass 34 on the shaft 84 of which cables 86 and 88 may be wound and unwound by rotating the crank 36. In order to prevent the cables from tangling one with the other a separating disc 90 may be provided. Cable 86 which has one end secured to the Windlass 34 passes through a suitable number of eyes or pulleys 92 on the framework and pontoons to one side of the wheel mechanism 50, preferably near the free end thereof, e.g., to one side of brace 66 where the other end is fastened. Also cable 88 has one end secured to the Windlass and passes through similar eyes 92 to the other side of the wheel mechanism, e.g., to the other side of brace 66 where its other end is fastened. This arrangement of parts operates to raise and lower the wheel mechanism by turn ing the Windlass 34 in one direction or the other when pin 60 is in unlocking position.

The vessel may be propelled through the water by any suitable means, e.g., an outboard motor for which provision is made by a transom 94 on the stern end of a scoop 96 which is pivoted by a pin 95 at its bow end to brackets 97 secured to the framework 16, preferably centrally between the pontoons 12 adjacent to the stern of the framework. Means are provided for holding the transom in a desired position of adjustment relative to the framework 16, depending upon the displacement of the pontoons 12 in the water, e.g., a pair of angle brackets 98 secured to the framework 16 with their vertical legs adjacent to the sides of the scoop 96 and having a series of holes 100 formed on an are around the pivot pin 95 as a center through any selected pair of which a pin 102 may be placed through aligned holes in the scoop to hold it in this position of vertical adjustment.

The craft is steered by turning the outboard motor in customary way about its axis and the means for doing this illustrated in the drawing comprises the steering wheel 32 and a pair of cables 104 and 106. Both cables have one end secured to and wound around the shaft or drum 108 of the steering wheel 32 in opposite directions so that when the wheel is turned one of them winds on and the other winds off the drum. The cable 104 passes through suitably placed eyes or pulleys 92 to one side of the outboard motor while cable 106 passes through other suitably placed eyes or pulleys 92 to the other side. Then by turning wheel 32 the outboard motor is also turned to steer the craft.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with the best embodiments presently designed it is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. Thus, for example, the wheel mechanism 50 may comprise a single arm, somewhat in the shape of an I in which the upper cross arm provides the pivot and the lower cross arm is a long enough shaft for a pair of wheels spaced far enough apart to be stable against overturning of the boat when it is towed.

Having thus described an illustrated the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An amphibious vehicle comprising:

(A) a structure capable of floating in and movement through water,

(B) a wheel mechanism movable to an operative position, in which it is capable of supporting the vehicle on land for towing, and to an inoperative position, in which it olfers minimum resistance to propulsion through water, and

(C) means for locking said wheel mechanism selectively in each position comprising a wall forming a tubular recess on said wheel mechanism and another wall forming a tubular recess on said structure in alignment with the recess in said wheel mechanism in the operative position and out of alignment with the same in the inoperative position and a pin slidable in said tubular recesses adapted to lock the wheel mechanism (a) in operative position when positioned in both recesses and (b) in inoperative position when positioned in one of them with an end extending outside the recess.

2. An amphibious vehicle comprising:

(A) a structure capable of floating in and of being propelled through water and (B) a wheel mechanism movable to an operative position, in which it is capable of supporting the vehicle on land for towing, and to a retracted position of minimum resistance to propulsion of the vehicle through water, including:

(1) an arm pivoted at one end to said structure having a tubular recess at that end,

(2) a wheel rotatably mounted on the other end of said arm,

(3) means forming a tubular recess in said structure aligned with the tubular recess in said arm when the wheel mechanism is in operative position, and

(4) a pin slidable in said tubular recesses adapted to lock the wheel mechanism (a) in operative position when positioned in both of them and (b) in retracted position when positioned on one of them with an end extending outside that recess.

3. An amphibious vehicle as set forth in claim 2 in which said wheel mechanism includes (5) means for moving it to and from its operative and retracted positions.

4. An amphibious vehicle as set forth in claim 2 which includes (C) a transom adapted to support an outboard motor for propelling the vehicle through water.

5. An amphibious vehicle comprising:

(A) a catamaran including:

(1) a pair of pontoons and (2) a framework including an elongated deck securing said pontoons in spaced relation below and adjacent to the sides of said deck; and

(B) a wheel mechanism movable to an operative position for support of the boat on land for towing and to a retracted position in which it offers minimum resistance to propulsion of the vessel through water, including:

(1) two spaced arms, each arm being pivoted at one end to said framework between said pontoons and having a tubular recess at that end,

(2) a wheel rotatably mounted on the other end of each of said arms,

(3) means forming two tubular recesses in said framework, each aligned with the tubular recess in one of said arms when the wheel mechanism is in operative position, and

(4) a pin slidable in each pair of aligned tubular recesses adapted to lock the wheel mechanism selectively in operative and retracted positions.

6. An amphibious vehicle as set forth in claim 5 in which said wheel mechanism includes:

(5) means for moving it to and from its operative and retracted positions.

7. An amphibious vehicle as set forth in claim 5 in which there is also (C) a transom secured to said framework belowisaid' deck adjacent to its stern adapted to support an outboard motor for propelling the vehicle through water.

8. An amphibious vehicle as set forth in claim 7 in which said transom is pivoted to said framework adjacent to its fore end and is provided with means to position its stern end on which it is adapted to support said motor at selected positions of vertical adjustment.

9. An amphibious vehicle comprising:

(A) a catamaran including:

(1) a pair of pontoons and (2) a framework including an elongated deck securing said pontoons in spaced relation below and adjacent to the sides of said deck; and

(B) a tubular frame having a top bar, two side legs, and

a brace, and being provided with a pivot relative to said framework below said deck and between said pontoons transversely of said deck,

(C) a wheel rotatably mounted on the free end of each said leg,

(D) a length of pipe secured to said frame out of vertical alignment with the axis of the pivot to form a tubular recess,

5 (E) a length of pipe secured to said catamaran to form a tubular recess aligned with the tubular recess on said frame when the frame is in its operative position substantially at right angles to said deck, and (F) a pin slidable in said pipes adapted to lock the wheels (1) in operative position when positioned in both of them and (2) in retracted, position when positioned in one of them with an end extending outside that pipe into engagement with adjacent end of the other plpe.

10. An amphibious catamaran comprising two spaced pontoons and a framework including a deck connected thereto, a transom secured to and extending transversely of said framework below and behind the stern of said deck so that a person on the deck may have easy access to an outboard motor mounted on said transom, a wheel frame pivoted transversely to said framework, a control standard on said deck, a steering wheel on said control 20 standard, cables connected to said steering wheel at one end and adapted to be connected to an outboard motor on said transom at the other end so that rotation of said wheel moves said outboard motor to steer the catamaran, a Windlass on said control standard, cables connected to said Windlass and to said wheel frame remote from said pivot so that rotation of said Windlass in one direction 5 moves said frame to a retracted position substantially parallel to said framework and in the opposite direction to operative position substantially at right angles to said framework and means selectively to lock said wheel frame in operative and retracted positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Examiner. 

1. AN AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE COMPRISING: (A) A STRUCTURE CAPABLE OF FLOATING IN AND MOVEMENT THROUGH WATER, (B) A WHEEL MECHANISM MOVABLE TO AN OPERATIVE POSITION, IN WHICH IT IS CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING THE VEHICLE ON LAND FOR TOWING, AND TO AN INOPERATIVE POSITION, IN WHICH IT OFFERS MINIMUM RESISTANCE TO PROPULSION THROUGH WATER, AND (C) MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID WHEEL MECHANISM SELECTIVELY IN EACH POSITION COMPRISING A WALL FORMING A TUBULAR RECESS ON SAID WHEEL MECHANISM AND ANOTHER WALL FORMING A TUBULAR RECESS ON SAID STRUCTURE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RECESS IN SAID WHEEL MECHANISM IN THE OPERATIVE POSITION AND OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH THE SAME IN THE INOPERATIVE POSITION AND A PIN SLIDABLE IN SAID TUBULAR RECESSES ADAPTED TO LOCK THE WHEEL MECHANISM (A) IN OPERATIVE POSITION WHEN POSITIONED IN BOTH RECESSES AND (B) IN INOPERATIVE POSITION WHEN POSITIONED IN ONE OF THEM WITH AN END EXTENDING OUTSIDE THE RECESS. 